Servingourcommunityofstudents,alumni&friends

Dec2008

Open for e-Learning! Dave Hancock, Minister of Education joins Paula Ciccarelli, Christina Zilinski, Justin Turner and Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology on October 9 for the official opening of the Community Learning Campus’ Bell e-Learning Centre. Story on Page 4

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Volume 2, Number 4Publicationmailagreement:40010029

Submissionsmaybeeditedforcontentandlength.

Olds College Horizons is published four times per year by the Office of Advancement. We welcome comments, letters and suggestions for stories. Please email Rick Overwater roverwater@oldscollege.ca fax 403-556-4704 or write 4500-50 Street, Olds, Alberta, T4H 1R6

Editor: RickOverwater,CommunicationsCoordinator

Publisher: ShannonNorthey,ManagerofDevelopment&CorporateCommunications

Design: MyriahBarr,GraphicDesignandMultimediaCoordinator

Print:CalgaryColorpress

Letter from the Editor There is no better way to learn about your new workplace than to sit down at your desk and immediately have to write a pile of stories about it. Such was the case when I started here in early November, with the original deadline for this issue of Horizons already past. Who knew that all those times I procrastinated until the last minute, churning out high school and university essays in a frantic, caffeine-driven haze with one eye on the clock and the other on a spell-check window would ultimately yield me a valuable job skill?

At first I was concerned with the fact that my last minute calls and emails in search of good stories to relate would get slow replies, leaving little time to do justice to all the hard work our staff, faculty and alumni do on a daily basis.

Fortunately, there is a passion here in every department and people are genuinely excited about sharing what they are doing with the community. And they are doing a lot, believe me. My concern, then, became not whether I could do the great stories coming out of Olds College justice or not but, rather, whether I could fit them all in.

I couldn’t. There is that much happening here. Whether it’s the new face of our Agriculture Diploma Programs, making sure that farm kids who grow up like I did are prepared for the future of agriculture and agribusiness, or our contributions to the Community Learning Campus, which provides opportunities youth and community members often cannot get even in a large metropolitan city, there is no shortage of tales to tell.

People often look to large urban centres for examples of what the future holds. But after one month, it is obvious the future is already happening, right here. And that’s a story I look forward to telling over and over again. Chances are, you are part of the story and I look forward to hearing about it — and passing it on — soon.

Rick Overwater

In step with modern agribusinessOlds College Agriculture diplomas evolve in 2009

Keeping in step with the significant, increasingly rapid evolution of the agricultural industry, the Olds College School of Agriculture, Land and Environment is making sweeping, timely changes to its diploma programs.

Beginning in September 2009, Olds College will offer its new Agricultural Management Diploma, blending the strengths of soon-to-be-retired diplomas in Agricultural Business, Crop & Agri Food Technology, and Agricultural Production. Students within the Agricultural Management Diploma program will be able to choose between majors in Finance, Marketing and Production. A Bioprocessing & Distribution Major will be added to the diploma program in 2010.

In 2005-06, Olds College conducted a number of face-to-face interviews with agricultural employers and producers across Alberta to document industry expectations of agricultural graduates. The research revealed a requirement for multiple skills, and emphasized the need for greater understanding of:

• Thin financial margins at all levels of agriculture • Evolving technology applications • A more consumer-driven marketplace • A requirement for agriculture to shift away from commodity marketing • Globalization throughout the agricultural value chain

“What came out clearly is that modern agribusinesses need good generalists. Agriculture is very much about integrating multiple elements, not just about a single discipline,” says Joel Gingrich, Chair of the Olds College School of Agriculture and Land Management. “It’s about making sure students have career flexibility when they graduate from the program.”

With enrolment having actually increased for the current school year – an indicator of longstanding confidence in Olds College’s agricultural programs – it’s important to note that previous diplomas may be absent in name but the core agricultural production and business education that is a mainstay for students is still very much present.

“Somebody who is interested in going back to the farm can still do that. We integrate animals, agronomy, business and technology so they can be successful,” says Gingrich. “But now, more than ever, they also have the option of taking that education and carrying on into agribusiness – where there is a greater abundance and diversity of jobs than ever before.”

Reaching out to fourth graders might not seem like an obvious task for an institution like Olds College at first. But that is exactly what will happen now that the college is a member of the Classroom Agriculture Program (CAP).

A collaborative effort between many organizations and commodity groups including Alberta Beef Producers, the Canadian Wheat Board, Alberta Canola Producers and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association -- to name just a handful — the program entails visiting classrooms and educating children on the facts surrounding exactly how food is produced. Every passing year, there are fewer children with a family member who lived or worked on a farm, and the disconnection between urban culture and how its food is procured grows measurably.

“So this was a very logical initiative for us to get into. Agriculture is not only an important part of our curriculum, it’s a vital industry and we obviously have an affinity for efforts like CAP,” says Jeff Suderman, Olds College Director of Student Recruitment. “As well, it allows us to address the misconception that agriculture is easy, or only has a few limited career paths. Kids are already being asked what they want to be when they grow up and this allows us to plant the seed, so to speak.”

In the past, Olds College students and alumni have participated as CAP volunteers and currently teach prescribed curriculum to grade four students around Alberta. Olds College is the first educational partner to join CAP and is currently seeking volunteers with hands-on agricultural experience to visit select classrooms. If you are interested in helping young Albertans learn more about how food is produced and opportunities within the industry, please contact Jeff Suderman in the Olds College Office of Student Recruitment (403-556-4757 or jsuderman@oldscollege.ca).

Dec2008 2

Olds College Alumni Association HALL OF FAME AWARD

Corn Crazy What started out as just one of the many corn mazes that go up each summer, an increasingly popular attraction for urban tourists, turned out to be much more in the end.

Olds College board member Leona Staples runs the Jungle Farm — a u-pick operation offering strawberries, raspberries, flowers, pumpkins and other vegetables — along with her husband Blaine. As plans to build a corn maze there took shape, the idea of using it to celebrate both the University of Alberta and its burgeoning partnership with Olds College arose.

The project would require very exact mapping and cutting, and for that Staples turned to Bob Hoffos, Olds College’s GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Program Coordinator. Thus, in the process, the project also became a demonstration of technological applications that can be learned at the college.

Hoffos accepted, partly out of curiosity. “I wanted to see if my GPS device was going to be accurate to the degree this application needed,” he says. Using a design by Scott Skelly of Corn Mazes America, Hoffos began changing the design into actual geographic coordinates and uploaded them into his GPS unit. “The whole thing took about four hours to lay out,” says Hoffos.

Then came the process of cutting the design into the corn field. Hoffos says the results, when finally photographed from above, were impressive and demonstrated just some the applications of the college’s GIS program.

“This is just one application of the technology we demonstrated,” says Hoffos. “The whole program applies this technology to many, many different sectors including forestry, municipalities, agriculture and even health care.”

ApplicationThe Olds College Alumni Association wishes to give special recognition to Alumni or former College Staff who have distinguished themselves by making significant contributions to the College and/or their chosen vocation. Their contribution may range from the local community to international in scope, but must be outstanding in quality. Normally, these contributions will be those “over and above” that which would be expected of regular employment or job function.

The Hall of Fame provides permanent recognition, including a photograph and the achievements of each award recipient. A special Hall of Fame Award Reception is held at the annual Summer Reunion in July. The 58 Alumni honoured in the Hall of Fame can be viewed on the lower level of the Learning Resource Centre on campus. A maximum of two awards are given each year, and only the living are considered for induction, except under exceptional circumstances.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame may be submitted to the Alumni Office anytime; however, the Selection Committee meets only once a year. Nominators are requested to provide detailed information in each of the following categories to assist the Committee in its evaluation of each nomination. Names, addresses and phone numbers for both nominee and nominators) should also be included. For the benefit of the Selection Committee, please provide and organize information about the nominee using the following headings (add any additional information you feel is relevant):

CONTRIBUTION TO OLDS COLLEGE (other than financial)

• Through Alumni Association, Advisory Committees, Board of Governors, Olds College Office of Advancement, hiring/recommending graduates, ambassadorship, promotion of the College, volunteerism, etc.

CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Related to chosen vocation, such as those for the betterment of farming or agriculture if career is agriculturally related.

• Leadership volunteerism in local community.

PROVINCIAL CONTRIBUTION (or NATIONAL, or INTERNATIONAL)

• Leadership positions held and/or contributions to organizations.

CONTRIBUTION WITHIN CHOSEN VOCATION

• Whether in farming, research, education, horticulture, business, homemaking, etc.

• Accomplishments

• Quality of contribution is important.

CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY

Other than to career and organizations related to career, e.g. community, family, church, service organizations.

Deadline for nominations is March 31 each year.

Send your nominations to:

Olds College Alumni Association4500 50th StreetOlds, AB T4H 1R6

Toll Free: (800) 661-OLDS Ext. 7952Phone (403) 507-7952Fax (403) 556-4754E-mail alumniassociation@oldscollege.caCourier Room 721, LRC, Olds College

Family with Strong alumni ties create new awardsWithalumnistatusspanningoverthreegenerations,aLacombeareafamilyhasdonatedagenerousendowmentandensuredfinancialhelpforfiveOldsCollegestudentseveryyear.

Whenitcametimetoretireandselltheirfarmingoperation,KenandBettieDitzlerdecidedtheywantedtogivebacktoaninstitutiontheyfeltwasinstrumentalinthefamily’ssuccess.

“We’vehadgoodcareersandwe’regratefulfortheopportunitieswe’vehad.Wewantedtogivethattoastudent,”saysBettie.

KengraduatedfromtheTwoinOneAgricultureprogramin1956.Hisfather,Leland“Chum”Ditzler,hadgraduatedfromthetwo-yearagriculturalprogramin1931andKenandBettie’sson,Clayton,graduatedfromtheHorticultureprogramin1989.KenhasaBScinAgriculture

Theyhadan800acrefarmwheretheyfedcattleandwereactiveingrainandhayproduction.BettieholdsaBScinHomeEconomicsandFamilyStudies.Amongotherefforts,KenwasamemberoftheprovincialseedcleaningplantassociationandalongtimememberoftheAlbertaInstituteofAgrologists.BothwereactiveintheUnitedChurchinLacombe.

“We’vealwaysbeenactiveinourcommunityandwehopeourchildrenandgrandchildrenwillbetoo,”saysKen.

TheDitzler’sendowmentisexpectedtogenerateabout$1000foreachofthefiveselectedstudentsannually,commencingin2010.

“Weknowalotofpeoplewhohavebenefittedfromfinancialsupportasstudents,”saysBettie.“Financesarealwaysanissuesoforus,thiswasagoodthingtodo.”

Dec2008 3

Alreadyfulfilling itsmandatetobridgetheurban-ruraldivideandprovideAlbertanstudents,businessesandcommunitieswithinnovativee-Learningopportunitiesandresources,theBelle-LearningCentrehasseenplentyofactivitysinceitsopening.

OnOctober9itwasofficiallylaunchedaspartoftheCommunityLearningCampus(CLC)onOldsCollegeCampus,a jointpartnershipbetween theChinook’sEdgeSchoolDivisionandOldsCollege.NotablevisitorsincludedTheHonourableDougHorner,MinisterofAdvancedEducationandTechnology.

“This is how Alberta is quickly moving into the knowledge-basedeconomyyoungAlbertanswant toparticipate in,” saidHornerduringtheofficiallaunchday.

Later in the month, the centre was pressed into service as part ofthe Communities Without Boundaries virtual conference. The virtualconference was linked between 20 different communities with over 25interactivepresentationsbeingmadeinrealtime,demonstratinghowtheSuperNetandhighspeedinternetconnectionscanbeusedtobringpeopletogether.

“AtourlastCommunitiesWithoutBoundariesconferenceoneyearago,themajorityofparticipantsattendedinpersonwithafewsitesconnectedthroughthe Internet via videoconference,” says Jim Gibbons, Superintendent ofSchoolsforChinook’sEdgeSchoolDivision.“Thisyear’sconferencehasgrowntoleveragethetruepoweroftheSuperNetinconnecting200participantsat23venuesviavideoconference.ThisdemonstratesthepoweroftechnologytospandistanceandtimeinconnectingruralAlbertacommunities.”

Broadband technologies such as video conferencing, webcasts, technologycourses,videoeditingandnewbusinessapplicationsthroughAlberta’sSuperNetarenowatthefingertipsofmoreAlbertansthaneverbefore.StudentsfromOldsJuniorSeniorHighSchool have already been taking computer andmedia artsclassesattheBelle-LearningCentresinceMay.

InNovemberatelevisioncrewfromRDTVinRedDeervisitedforatourandaninterview.Othermediastories includeanarticle in theRedDeerAdvocateandcoveragefromCTV.

“In a short amount of time theBell e-LearningCentrewill evolve from a novelnewtooltoanentrenched,vital institution,”saysKerryT.Moynihan,CLCActingExecutiveDirector.“Thisisaboutrealizingthepotentialofcreatingasharedspacethatbringspeopletogetherandprovideslearningopportunitiesforeveryone.”

Well wishers had a chance to leave their greetings on the Excite Room’s white board walls.

Video Conferencing in the J.C. (Jack) Anderson Video Conference Suite.

Great crowds came to celebrate the opening.

Stewart MacNabb (Olds College), Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl, Wayne Milaney (CLC Project Manager), Sean Hernandez (Olds College OCSA) and Kayley Reed (OHS) Cut the Cake!

Richard Marz MLA for Olds/Didsbury/Three Hills experiences a new career as a News Anchor with help from the High School Media Arts Class.

Brian Cooper and Paula Ciccarelli giving a tour to onlooking dignitaries from the government and Bell Canada.

Celebrating the Partnerships with Chinook’s Edge, Olds College, Town of Olds, Mountain View County and the University of Alberta.

Dec2008 4

Showing oursupport in

Olds College,

Asking for yours. 5

Landscape Pavilion

We all know that “hands-on” is often the best form of learning and students enrolled in horticulture programs of all kinds need to get their hands dirty. A lot! Our landscape pavilion allows students to climb trees, build landscapes and install irrigation systems when everything outside is frozen.

Thanks to our friends, construction is 70% complete. Achieving our full vision requires more commitment and we hope new and existing partners will look to the needs of future students.

Botanic Gardens, Wetland and Arboretum

A prairie wetland is an oasis of life and a treasure for future generations. Canada’s economic development often treads close to these natural gardens and habitats that are dotted across the landscape of our province. Olds College students learn to protect and conserve these precious resources for today and for tomorrow. The Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Wetlands create living laboratories that will reveal the delicate relationship between people, plants and water and prepare learners to become environmental stewards.

This will serve as a living laboratory for students of horticulture, land and water management studies, and facilitate and align our research efforts with the province’s “Water for Life” strategy. Water is the key concern on everybody’s minds — the lack of it, its quality and its affect on our everyday lives. This project will train the students of today to be our future leaders in water management, to ensure that our generation and generations to come have the water they need.

Botanic Gardens, Wetland and Arboretum

Water Reclamation

Centre for the Horticulture Industry (CHI)Horticulture is big business in Canada

The Centre for the Horticulture Industry will help the industry respond to the challenges they face through the expansion of programming and the creation of new opportunities for learners. The CHI will include the expansion of the existing Landscape Construction Pavilion and the development of Phase III of the Olds College Botanic Gardens.

With the completion of the Centre for the Horticulture Industry, the School of Horticulture will be uniquely positioned as a national-class education and business resource centre for the horticulture industry.

Dreams are limitless. A girl becomes the graceful dancer she sees in her heart; a boy develops the skill to match the athletes he admires. People of all ages find the resources they need to succeed. The Community Learning Campus is helping to eliminate the boundaries between our dreams and reality by providing new

resources to help rural Albertans achieve their ambitions.

A flexible venue, the Fine Arts and Multi Media Centre offers a 350+ seat theatre, instructional, presentation and conference space, and multipurpose areas for performing and visual arts in Olds and area. This space and its offerings respond to the fine arts and programming needs of Olds High School, Olds College and

the surrounding community.

Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre

Health & Wellness

A holistic approach to physical, emotional, intellectual and social growth is the focus of the Health and Wellness Facility. Outside of the traditional gymnasiums, fitness centre, and multipurpose areas, the facility is built to house Central Alberta Child and Family Services, Alberta Employment and Immigration, an

Integrated Career Centre, counseling and health services.

Core High School

The Core High School is a 700+ capacity facility for high school students, grades nine to twelve in Olds and area. The new high school integrates the Chinook’s Edge School Division motto “Where Students Come First”. Students engage in learning in flexible teaching and learning spaces that provide classroom, team, and individual configurations allowing for self-directed study, project-based and

collaborative learning.

Our dreams are coming true each day with steady progress on all Community Learning Campus projects. We invite those with a strong vision for rural Alberta to join our team as we look to the future.

100% SUCCESS!Bell e-Learning Centre

Community Learning Campus (CLC)

Growing Together – Learning Forever

Olds College and Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) are the principle partners in the Community Learning Campus project, in collaboration with Mountainview County, Town of Olds, University of Alberta, and others. These partners have combined intellect, ideals, and spirit to shape a new path for rural education delivery. More than just inspiring architecture, the CLC and its Learning Plan will be one of the most innovative approaches to high school, college, and

community learning in the world.

Yes, I believe in the future of Olds College and want to help!

R I wish to donate: R I wish to support: $ 100.00 Community Learning Campus $ 250.00 Landscape Pavilion $ 500.00 Botanic Gardens and Wetlands

$ 1000.00 Other $ ______________ Area of greatest need

Yes my gift is $500 or more so please request the matching funds from the Alberta Government. Please make cheque payable to: Olds College and return to Olds College, 4500 - 50th Street, Olds, AB, Canada T4H 1R6.

Laurinda Parkinson, President Olds College Alumni Association

Ernest Damkar, Class of 51

“In my life, I needed some help and stability. Olds College gave me the

support to succeed. If I didn’t go to Olds College, I wouldn’t have made it. I always

thought that if I ever have sufficient funds, I'm going to donate to the school.”

- Ernest Damkar, Alumni Donor

Senator Bert and Alice Brown, Co-Chairs Olds College Capital Vision Campaign

Your Olds College is seven short months away from the completion of our first and very ambitious Capital Vision Fund-raising Campaign. We've done extremely well throughout this campaign, raising over $26 Million for enhanced opportunities and learning environments for our Olds College students and faculty in just over three years.

We're now into our fourth and final year and everyone knows that the final dollars in any fund-raising project are always the hardest to secure. We need your help more than ever right now to push us over the top and complete the campaign, continuing to make Olds College the world renowned institution that it is.

We draw inspiration from the Barack Obama presidential fundraising campaign, which more than doubled previous records for presidential candidate fundraising. Approximately 93% of the massive total came from gifts of $1000 or less, clearly demonstrating that combining the power of the many and thepower of the committed can achieve success beyond our wildest dreams.

We need you, our alumni who understand the enduring value of Olds College. More than ever, we need your help to meet campaign goals. By contributing yourself, as well as encouraging others to contribute, you help ensure that Olds College is there for our sons, daughters and grandchildren. We’ve done well by Government and corporate Alberta so far. We must look to those who would invest in Olds College from their “hearts” in this final year of our campaign.

LeverageThrough the Alberta government's Access to the Future matching dollars, the College leadership has enabled us to double the impact of your support on donations of $500 or more to any of the three remaining capital building projects. In today’s world, that is a pretty good rate of return! For Olds College to get these government matching funds, your gift must be received by JANUARY 15, 2009.

We are very passionate about the opportunities our Capital Vision Campaign will provide our future Alumni, but to make these dreams come true we need you the students of yesteryear to give with your hearts, to give Olds College an exciting future. Please consider adding Olds College to your Christmas giving list.

Yours sincerely,

The Power of Three

1. The Landscape Pavilion Expansion - Olds College constructed its original, existing Landscape Pavilion in 1997. Within its first year, landscaping, arboriculture, irrigation,and turf-grass students requiring hands-on training in a controlled environment during the winter months had utilized the facility to and beyond capacity. This climate controlled facility puts Olds College ahead of many other institutions by allowing us to “take the season out of seasonal” in the winter months of our school year. The current Landscape Pavilion expansion project is in direct response to the industry need to accommodate sustained and manageable growth full-time and part-time training in “green careers”.Although expansion of the Landscape Pavilion is nearly complete, we need your final support to build the adjoining classrooms that will house our students.

2. The Botanic Garden and Wetlands –This will serve as a living laboratory for students of horticulture, land and water management studies, and facilitate and align our research efforts with the province’s “Water for Life” strategy. Water is the key concern on everybody’s minds - the lack of it, its quality and its affect on our everyday lives. This project will train the students of today to be our future leaders in water management, to ensure that our generation and generations to come have they water they need. Construction of this project commences in the spring of 2009.

3. The Community Learning Campus (CLC) - Olds College and the Chinook’s Edge School Division are the principle partners in this innovative approach to high school, post-secondary and community education. The CLC consists of a Core High School on the grounds of the College campus, a Health and Wellness Facility, Fine Arts and Multi Media Centre, the Bell e-Learning Centre and a distributive network of Community Engagement Sites in rural Central Alberta. The CLC model delivers life-long learning and access to services through facilities that will forever shatter the notion that citizens in rural Alberta must make do with less!

Add Olds College to your Christmas

Giving List

Cheque enclosed Visa Mastercard

Credit Card #: ___________________________________________

Expiry Date: ____________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________

I would like to hear more about the future of Olds College. Please have

someone call me at _______________________________ to set up a tour.

Dec2008

MemorialsThe Alumni Board respectfully notes the passing of the following Olds College Alumni and staff, and extends its condolences to their families and friends.

To review the complete obituaries which have been forwarded to our office, please visit the Olds College Alumni section of our website at www.oldscollege.ca/alumni.

Blanche Hoyback (nee Paulsen)HomeEconomics,1939-------- -------- --------Harold J. Munson Agriculture,1948-------- -------- --------John Arnold Fulton,agraduateofOldsAgriculturalCollegein1937,passedawayonAugust31attheageof89.

JohnwasbornAugust19,1919inMedicineHat,AB.HegrewuponthefamilyranchnearWalsh,ABandremainedonitfor60yearsfollowinghiscollegeeducation.In1951hemarriedNancyHargravefromtheneighbouringJHRanch.

Activeinthecommunitythroughouthislife,Johnco-foundedtheWalshCattleMarketing

9

ALUMNI REVIEW

Olds College AlumniAssociation BoardofDirectors2007-2008

President LaurindaParkinson‘69

Vice PresidentJohnPerry‘63

Past PresidentSandraMacKinnon-Jahn‘86

Honourary PresidentEdithEdge‘51

TreasurerMelodyCavin,CollegeStaff

SecretaryGaryCoen‘58

DirectorsJimBurns‘68BryanDowell’61GlenAlred‘58CurtisMiller‘03JasonFinnigan‘01EdShaw‘71

OCSA RepSeanHernandez

Faculty RepHeatherTaylor

Olds College President and CEODr.H.J.(Tom)Thompson

Alumni CornerTheideatodeveloptheOldsSchoolofAgriculture&HomeEconomicsbeganearlyinthehistoryofAlbertaundertheleadershipoftheMinisterofAgriculture,TheHonorableDuncanMarshall.Heconceivedaplanthatwouldseeaseriesofdemonstrationfarmsdevelopedinvariouslocationsthroughouttheprovince.TheywouldbedesignedtohelpsettlerscomingfromEasternCanada,theU.S.andEuropetolearnthebestmethodsoffarminginthediverselandandsoilconditionsinourprovince.SinceMarshallfarmednorthwestofOldsandrepresentedtheregionaspartofhisconstituency,itwasonlynaturalthattheareasaroundthetownbecomethetargetforsuchaneducationalfacilitytobebuilt.

ThesecondphaseofMarshall’splanwastobuildschoolsofagricultureonthedemonstrationfarmshehaddevelopednotonlyinOlds(in1911)butalsoinVermilionandClaresholmin1913.OtherssoonfollowedinRaymond,YoungstownandGleichen.Theofficialopeningofthe$40,000OldsSchoolofAgriculturetookplaceonNovember21,1913.Intheearly1920s,theonlyschoolsremainingoutofMarshall’seffortswerethoseatOldsandVermilion.TheClaresholmandRaymondschoolsclosedin1931duetoeconomicrestraints,andVermilionclosedtemporarilybecauseoftheDepressionandWWII.

AtareuniononDecember11,1917,theOldsCollegeAlumniAssociationwasborn.Aconstitutionwasadoptedandeligibilityformembershipwasestablishedwithmembershipfeessetat25centsperyear.TodaymembershipisopentoallwhoattendOldsCollege.Thereareover13,000livingOldsCollegeAlumni,withapproximately500newgraduateseachyear.Oftheabovetotal,82%ofthealumniarefromthe35yearsbetween1970and2005,with18%ofthetotalalumnifromthe55yearsbetween1914–1969.

TheOldsCollegeAlumniAssociationisgovernedbya17-membervolunteerboardconsistingofalumni,collegestaff,andcurrentstudentrepresentatives.OurelectionstakeplaceatthefirstgeneralmeetinginSeptember,aftertheAnnualGeneralMeetinginJulyeachyear.

AsthenewPresidentofOCAA,IampleasedtobeabletobringyougreetingsfromyournewOCAABoardfor2008-2009.Wearecommittedtomaintainingoursupporttocurrentstudentsthroughbursaries&scholarships.TheAlumniAssociationsupportstheobjectivesofOldsCollegebyfosteringrelationshipsandopportunitiesamongstudents,alumni,thecollege,andtheglobalcommunitytoenhancethestrengthsandcontinuityofOldsCollege.Wewouldbepleasedtohearfromanyofouralumnithroughthecontactinfobelow.

email:alumniassociation@oldscollege.ca

phone:1-800-661-6537ext7952,OCAAOffice&Museum,Room721lowerLRCBldg,450050Street,Olds,ABT4H1R6

New Alumni President The Olds College Alumni Association has welcomed Laurinda Parkinson, new association president, into the fold. Taking over from Sandra Mackinnon-Jahn, Laurinda brings a wide variety of experience and a family association with Olds College that dates back to 1929.

The granddaughter of Fred F. Parkinson, Farm Mechanics Instructor at what was then called the Olds School of Agriculture from 1929 to 1949, Laurinda grew up in Calgary with frequent visits to family friends in the Olds area. Her mother, Signe (Blanch) Parkinson, graduated from Olds College in 1941 and her aunt, Mary (Parkinson) Smith, graduated in 1947. In 1969 Laurinda graduated after studying Fashion and Design Technology.

During her year as a student, she met several members of the New Zealand Young Farmers who were visiting through the International Agricultural Exchange Association. She and a classmate embarked to New Zealand, where Laurinda stayed and worked for four and half years.

After returning, Laurinda married and farmed in the Rolling Hills area for a decade before moving into Brooks. She has two sons, Curtis and Brendan Miller. Curtis graduated from the Olds College Agricultural Mechanics program in 2003.

Today, Laurinda resides in the Caroline area and works in Red Deer as an Office Administrator. She has been on the Olds College Alumni Association Board since 2003. “I attend reunions every summer and it reinforces my desire to stay connected to Olds College,” she says. “I feel a very strong allegiance to it and am dedicated to working towards a stronger and more visible alumni association.”

Remember me? Class of ‘69

ALUMNIKeep In Touchalumniassociation@oldscollege.ca

Association,servingasSecretary–Treasurerfor35years.HewasalsoChairmanoftheBoardfortheMedicineHatCo-Opforthreeyearsandaboardmemberfor12.Heisrememberedforaloveofcattle,horsesandnatureingeneral.

JohnissurvivedbyhisdaughtersJenniferandJulie,sonTom,brothersHarlonandWilsonandnumerousextendedfamilymembers.-------- -------- --------Stacy Helene Marvel Regier,a2003graduateofOldsCollege’sLandAdministrationprogram,passedawayonOctober20followinganautomobileaccident.

StacywasbornonDecember19,1982inRedDeer.SheworkedforthecityofRedDeerintheTaxandPropertyAssessmentDept.,andresidedinSylvanLake.StacyissurvivedbyherparentsCindyandPeteRegierandnumerousfamilymembersincludinghergrandparents.Sheisrememberedforherinfectiouslaughandgregariouspersonality.

Stacy’s family has instructed well wishers to make donations to selected causes including Olds College. For more information, contact the Olds College Office of Advancement.

Alumni Becomes Stampede PrincessAfamilyhistory inranchingandadiplomainEquineSciencehelpedpoiseanOldsCollegealumforcrowningasa2009CalgaryStampedePrincess.KateriCowley,whograduatedfromthecollegein2005,willbeoneoftwoStampedeprincessesalongwithTaraSergerieandQueenKerriWilliamson.

KateriwasraisedontheRafterSixRanchandparticipatedineverysingleStampedeparadesinceshewasborn.Daytodayactivitiesatthefamilyranchrunthegamutfromhorsetrainingtomuckingoutstallsandleadingtours.AccordingtoKateri,it’sexactlythiskindofbackgroundandexperiencethattheCalgaryStampedelooksforwhentheycrowntheroyaltrio.

“TheylookforthingslikeWesternheritageandvalues,”shesaidinaninterviewwiththeRockyMountainOutlook.“Theywantpeoplewhohaveaprideofplace,aprideofwhotheyare,wheretheycomefromandwheretheyaregoing.Beingacowgirlisn’tanoutfit,it’salifestyle.”

Responsibilities as aStampede princesswill include attending hundreds of eventsacross the continent, as well as duties surrounding the Calgary Stampede itself.Traininginpublicspeakingandmediaawarenessareaprerequisite.

Whenherdutieswrapupandhercrownispassedon,KaterihopestomajorinbusinessandmanagementtohelpkeeptheRafterSixranchafamily-runoperation.Shealsointendstoprovidethekindofinspirationstampederoyaltygaveherduringchildhood.“Iintendtobethesametypeofrolemodelforalltheyounggirls.”

Art Auction program calls for volunteersBased on very encouraging successes in its first year, the Olds College Sealed Bid art program is expanding and calling for volunteers in Central Alberta. What began as a few pieces of quality art, placed on easels in a handful of locations with sealed-bid drop boxes beside them has emerged a significant fundraising program with minimum volunteer time necessary to keep things up and running.

“It’s been bringing a lot of exposure to Olds College out in the countryside,” says Ken Risi, Director of Development in Olds College’s Office of Advancement. “It’s out there seven days a week, 365 days per year and has become a great source for the Olds College Opportunity Fund.”

One of the advantages of the opportunity fund, adds Risi, is that funds can be put towards whatever is truly needed — be it a student award that needs topping up or infrastructure repairs such as a leaky roof.

The program works by placing an easel with a piece of desirable art on it at a high traffic location such as a restaurant or grocery store. Those interested in owning the art, and supporting Olds College in the process, can place a sealed bid in an envelope and drop it into the box. The art is changed out very two weeks and the highest bidder receives the art.

“In six weeks, with just ten easels, we have raised $12,000,” says Risi. “Each easel should bring in $3000 to $4000 per year and we are aiming for $100,000 this year.

Already in nearby towns such as Didsbury and Carstairs, the program is planning to expand into several Albertan towns the coming year. Risi expects the volunteer hours necessary to manage in two or three easels in a town to be around 26 hours spread over one year.

“It’s a great way to help the college if your time or resources are limited,” says Risi. “Currently we have two Olds College Alumni, Ken Ditzler and Lewis Reid, running easels in Lacombe. They enjoy the experience and are proud of the fact that they are contributing back to the college that helped give them their start in life.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to run easels in their home town are invited to contact the Olds College Office of Advancement.

Kateri Cowley (Princess) Right, along with fellow royalty. Kerri Williamson (Queen) Middle, Tara Sergerie (Princess) Left

Dec2008

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10

Horts have Heart!OldsCollege’shorticultureprogramsprovidedthefoundationforanumberofvolunteerandcharityeffortsthisfall.

In November, the College’s Green Earth Society took advantage of anorganicplotgrownbysummerstafftodemonstratethefeasibilityoforganicvegetablegrowingontheprairies.

“Theyhadallthesevegetablesleftandratherthanletthemrotintheground,we decided to donate them to aworthy cause,” says Patricia Thomas, amember of theGreenEarthSociety. “Sowepulled themall up, cleanedthem,andgavethemtotheMountainViewFoodBankandthe1stBaptistChurchwhorunafamilyfoodprogram.”

Thomashails from theVirgin Islandsand is currentlyenroled in theLandAgent Program.The harvest, she says, yielded two large bins of onions,carrotsandbeets.“Itwasalearningexperienceforme,”sheadds.“Wedon’tpullvegetablesoutofthegroundlikethatathome.”

TheOldsCollegeHorticultureClubwasactiveaswell, selling cucumbersoriginallygrownaspartofaresearchprogramanddonatingthemoneytotheSalvationArmy.“Threeorfourhundredcucumbersweresoldultimately,yielding around $150,00,” says Peter Johnston-Berresford, HorticultureProductionProgramCoordinatorandGreenhouseManagerforOldsCollege’sSchoolofHorticultureandGeospatialTechnology.“Thesevegetableswouldhaveotherwisegonetowasteorsimplybeengivenaway,buttheHorticultureClubseizedtheopportunity tomakethemostof them.Thestudentshaveso much energy that once they get involved, they bring a real impact tocharitableefforts.”

TheHorticultureClubalsomountedasizableclothingdrive,placingdonationbinsaroundcampusandactivelyencouragingstudentsandstafftodonate.Attimeofpress,thedonationswereslatedtobegiventotheSalvationArmybutifthefinalamountwaslargeenough,othercharitieswouldbeconsideredasrecipientsaswell.

“Wehave literally receivedvan loadsofdonationsso far,”saysJohnston-Berresford.“Thereisamassiveamount,all ingreatconditionandwemaywellhaveenoughtogivesometotheSalvationArmyandlocationssuchasGoodwillstores.”

Students gather vegetables from their

crops to donate.

WitharevitalizedathleticsprogramgarneringattentionforOldsCollegeonceagain,arenewedfocusonRodeoanditsrightfulplaceasasporthasemerged.Similartohowtheothersportsarehandled,theCollegehasbroughtinthreenew,highlyexperiencedcoachestoassistinthedevelopmentofOldsCollege’srodeoteams.

OneofthecoachesisWayne Powell,a12yearprofessionalCowboyandthree-timeCanadianFinalsQualifier.

“Atmystageofthegame,itdoesn’thurttogivebackandhelptheyoungpeoplethatareinheritingrodeo,”saysPowell.“BackwhenIstarted,therewasn’tanythinglikethis.”

Powellisthe2008FoothillsCowboyAssociation(FCA)CowboyoftheYear.Hisaccomplishmentsalsoincludebeing1981WildRoseRodeoAssociationBullRidingFinalsChampionandservingasFCASaddleBroncDirector,tonamejustafew.

Powellisjoinedonthecoachingstaffbytwootherseasonedcowboys:

Patrick Cassidy•12yearsinprofessionalrodeo•1990CanadianHighSchoolTie-DownRopingChampion•CanadianCowboyAssociation,FCAandChinookRodeoAssociationfinalistinTie-DownropingandSteerWrestling.

Greg Hoar•Seven-yearmemberofCanadianProfessionalRodeoAssociation(CPRA)andProRodeoCowboy’sAssociation.•Consistenttop15-20rankingsinCPRA•2006PrairieCircuitChamp

New Rodeo Coaches

Phot

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ike

Cop

eman

Dec2008 11

The date is now set for the 2009OldsCollegeGrowingtheLegacyGala,takingplaceonMarch13.

Sellingouteachyearforthepastsix,thehighprofileeventhasbeenakeypartofthecollege’sgrowthinqualityprogrammingandfacilities.

Asinpastyears,Galawillbeahighprofileeveningfeaturingagourmetdinner, guest speaker and live and silent auctions.The “Partner of theYear”willbeannouncedclosertotheGaladate.

UtilizingacombinedgifttoOldsCollegeof$70,000,theCollege,theAlbertaRoadbuilders& Heavy ConstructionAssociation (ARHCA) and several employers within industryhavecreatedtheUndergroundUtilityInstallerCertificateprogram.Thecertificatedealsspecificallywiththetradecommonlyknownaspipelaying,andcommencesin2009.

“Accordingtoourindustrypartners,thereisnotoneplaceyoucouldattendtogetallthesametraininginoneprogram,saysDickThomson,ChairofOldsCollege‘sSchoolofTradesandCareerStudies.“

Undergroundpipelayingisanecessityinavarietyofconstructionprojects,rangingfromsewerlinestogaspipelines—allofwhichmustbeconstructedtoexactingstandardsandaregenerallyexpectedtoendurefordecades.

“Traditionally, theskillsof this tradewerepasseddownbymoreexperienced tradespeople,”saysJarradWhissell,VicePresidentofWhissellContractingCalgaryLtd.“Buttheacceleratedexodusofseniormembershascreatedaneducationalshortfall.”

“WeareverypleasedtoseeOldsCollegetakeontheroleofprovidingthisvitaltraining,”saysGeneSyvenky,ARHCACEO.“Thetimingofthisprogramcouldn’tbebetter.”

First program of its kind addresses labour shortage through industry/college partnership

For ShannonNorthey, the College’s newManager of Development &Corporate Communications,joiningtheOldsCollegeteamhasmeantareturntoherroots.

“AgriculturehasbeenapartofmylifeforaslongasIcanremember,”saidNorthey.“Thisopportunitywasawayformetoworkinamarketingandcommunicationscapacitywhilestillbeingintouchwithan

industrythatIholdverydear.”

AfterstudyingJournalismArtsatSAIT,Northeywentontoworkwithinthenon-profitindustryinaneventcoordinationandfundraisingcapacity.Priortoacceptingthe

positionwithOldsCollege,sheservedastheAwards&ScholarshipAdvisorintheDepartmentofCommunityRelationsatRedDeer.

“I’mreallyexcitedtobeapartoftheOldsCollegefamily,”shesaid.“It’sanhonourtobeassociatedwithaninstitutionthatissowellknownforitscuttingedgeprogramming,researchandcommitmenttoagriculture.”

Partners: Olds College, Alberta Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association, WRD Borger Construction Ltd, Whissel Contracting Calgary Ltd., Standard General Inc., Volker Stevin Contracting Ltd., Caliber Systems.

Bringing a farm background and 20 yearsof experience, Rick Overwater has joinedtheOldsCollegeOfficeofAdvancementasCommunicationsCoordinator.

Overwater attended Didsbury High Schooland graduated from Gonzaga Universityin 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree inCommunicationsandaminorinJournalism.

Over theyearshehaswritten fora varietyofpublicationsrangingfromtheCalgarySuntotheGlobeandMail.Stintsasatelevisionproducer and several music writing andeditingjobsarealsopartofhismediahistory.Aswell,heheldcommunicationpositionsatEpcor Centre for the Performing Arts andAlbertaBeefProducers.

Inhisspare timeOverwater likes toplay inhisalternative-countrybandTheCulls,andhis self-described “cowpunk-metal” bandBlackDirtoftheWest.

Meet your new Communicators

Dec200812

Be kind to the environment!When you have finished reading this issue of Olds College Horizons, please pass it along to a friend or recycle it. Thank you.

Checkoutwww.oldscollege.caformoredetailsontheseandother

OldsCollegestories.

We’d like to hear from you!Please send us your comments, stories or suggestions for future articles. Let us know how we’re doing! Olds College Horizons is published four times per year by the Office of Advancement. Please email Rick Overwater roverwater@oldscollege.ca, fax (403) 556-4704 or write 4500-50 Street Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6.

Applications for Fall 2009 accepted beginning November 1st!

Preview DayJanuary 16, 2009Land and Horticulture

Coming Events

Preview DayFebruary 6, 2009Animals, Business and Fashion

February 26, 2009Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre Grand Opening

Preview DayMarch 13, 2009Agriculture and Trades

Growing the Legacy GalaMarch 13, 2009

Open HouseApril 4, 2009

For updates or more information, please visit www.oldscollege.ca